1 Kings Chapter 16 · Verse 33

Authorized King James Version

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And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.

Original Language Analysis

לַֽעֲשׂ֗וֹת did H6213
לַֽעֲשׂ֗וֹת did
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 1 of 18
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אַחְאָ֜ב And Ahab H256
אַחְאָ֜ב And Ahab
Strong's: H256
Word #: 2 of 18
achab, the name of a king of israel and of a prophet at babylon
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 3 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽאֲשֵׁרָ֑ה a grove H842
הָֽאֲשֵׁרָ֑ה a grove
Strong's: H842
Word #: 4 of 18
asherah (or astarte) a phoenician goddess; also an image of the same
וַיּ֨וֹסֶף more H3254
וַיּ֨וֹסֶף more
Strong's: H3254
Word #: 5 of 18
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
אַחְאָ֜ב And Ahab H256
אַחְאָ֜ב And Ahab
Strong's: H256
Word #: 6 of 18
achab, the name of a king of israel and of a prophet at babylon
לַֽעֲשׂ֗וֹת did H6213
לַֽעֲשׂ֗וֹת did
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 7 of 18
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לְהַכְעִיס֙ to anger H3707
לְהַכְעִיס֙ to anger
Strong's: H3707
Word #: 8 of 18
to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 9 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָֹה֙ to provoke the LORD H3068
יְהוָֹה֙ to provoke the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 10 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֣י God H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 11 of 18
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 12 of 18
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מִכֹּ֨ל H3605
מִכֹּ֨ל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 13 of 18
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מַלְכֵ֣י than all the kings H4428
מַלְכֵ֣י than all the kings
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 14 of 18
a king
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 15 of 18
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 16 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָי֖וּ H1961
הָי֖וּ
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 17 of 18
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְפָנָֽיו׃ that were before H6440
לְפָנָֽיו׃ that were before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 18 of 18
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

Analysis & Commentary

And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of kings of israel: elah, zimri, omri, ahab, within the book's focus on spiritual decline of both kingdoms under various rulers.

The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.

Historical Context

First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. This period (c. 930-850 BCE) saw rapid succession and instability, especially in the northern kingdom.

Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.

Questions for Reflection